Amelanchier canadensis

Common Name(s):

Serviceberry, Shadbush, Shadbush serviceberry

Cultivar(s):

Prince William

Categories:

Native Plants, Trees

Comment:

Amelanchier canadensis, commonly called shadblow serviceberry, is a deciduous, early-flowering, large shrub or small tree which typically grows 15-30' tall. Its bark is smooth when young. As the tree ages, the bark develops rough long ridges and furrows.

Regions: Piedmont, Coastal Plains

Seasons of Interest:

Leaves: Fall Blooms: Early spring Nut/Fruit/Seed: Summer

Wildlife Value: This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer. It is a host plant for the Red-Spotted Purple and the Viceroy butterflies. Butterflies and other insects nectar at the blooms. The fruits are eaten by songbirds and both small and large mammals.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Rust, leaf spot, blight and powdery mildew are sometime disease problems for the serviceberry. Insects that may effect this plant include the sawfly, leaf miner, borers and scale.

Height:

6-20 ft.

Flower:

The Serviceberry features showy, 5-petaled, slightly fragrant, white flowers in drooping clusters which appear before the leaves emerge in early spring.
Its spring flowers give way to small, round, green berries which turn red and finally mature to a dark purplish-black in early summer. Edible berries resemble blueberries in size and color and are used in jams, jellies and pies.

Zones:

3-7

Habit:

Deciduous

Site:

The Serviceberry grows best in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It is tolerant of a somewhat wide range of soils.